Chapter 100
Lu Qing began to teach the two little ones to recognize characters right after breakfast.
"Heaven and Earth, Mysterious and Yellow, Universe's Great Desolation..."
Lu Qing held a small wooden stick, writing in a basin of sand while reciting aloud.
In his previous life, he had never tutored children, so he could only teach according to his own understanding, slowly guiding them.
He didn't know what the introductory readings of this world were like, so he taught them bit by bit according to the thousand-character essay he had learned.
Fortunately, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Li were very intelligent. Even though Lu Qing's teaching was clumsy, they could still quickly remember.
Of course, they only recognized the characters, they couldn't write or understand their meanings.
"Alright, now that you recognize these characters, you can try writing them yourselves."
Seeing that Xiao Yan and Xiao Li had remembered, Lu Qing brought out two more basins of sand and placed them in front of them.
If a teacher saw this scene, they would probably be furious.Teaching characters like this, on the first day, in such a cramming method, they would worry the children couldn't keep up.
But at the moment, only Lu Qing and the two little ones were in the room.
One dared to teach, and the other dared to learn. Upon hearing Lu Qing's words, Xiao Yan and Xiao Li earnestly began learning to write.
Xiao Yan held a small wooden stick, first looking at the characters her brother had written, then imitating them in the sand basin with the stick.
Xiao Li had more trouble; with only its paws, it found holding the stick very inconvenient. After trying a few times, it simply threw the stick away and used its sharp claws to write in the sand.
Lu Qing found it amusing but didn't stop it.
Making a small beast hold a pen to write was indeed too difficult for it.
Just as the two little ones were seriously learning to write, a voice came from outside the house: "Aqing."
"Master, why are you here?"
Lu Qing went out to meet him, surprised.
"I've finished making the Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills you needed, so I brought them over," the old doctor Chen said with a smile.
"How could I let you, Master, bring them personally? I should have gone to get them," Lu Qing said, a bit embarrassed.
"We're master and apprentice, no need to stand on ceremony. Besides, I've been in the medicine room for a few days, needed some fresh air."
The old doctor walked into the house.
"Grandpa Chen!"
Xiao Yan greeted obediently, and even Xiao Li called out.
"Hmm, good children. What are you doing?"
The old doctor saw the two little ones each sitting in front of a sand basin and was curious.
"Brother is teaching us to recognize characters, we're learning to write!" Xiao Yan said happily.
"Recognizing characters?" The old doctor was even more puzzled and looked at Lu Qing.
Teaching Xiao Yan to recognize characters was understandable, but even Xiao Li was sitting there obediently.
Lu Qing felt a bit embarrassed: "I had some free time and thought Xiao Yan should start learning to read, so I taught her. I didn't expect Xiao Li to be interested too, so I taught both."
The old doctor was surprised to see Xiao Li's eagerness to learn. This little black beast was even more diligent than many human children.
He didn't know that the two little ones were so eager to learn because Lu Qing had enticed them with stories, sparking their interest in reading.
"Learning to recognize characters is good. Most of the world's knowledge is hidden in books. If you can read, you can learn many things on your own in the future," the old doctor said with satisfaction.
"Grandpa Chen, are there many interesting stories in books?" Xiao Yan asked excitedly.
Xiao Li also looked over.
The old doctor was taken aback, then nodded: "Of course, many storybooks are very interesting."
Xiao Yan and Xiao Li's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and they became even more enthusiastic about writing.
Lu Qing quickly diverted his master's attention: "Master, you said the Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills are ready?"
"Yes, they're ready," the old doctor nodded and took out several large medicine bottles. "They're all here. I've classified the pills by potency. These two bottles are made from ginseng under two hundred years old, this one from three hundred years, and this one from that five hundred-year-old treasured ginseng. Keep them well."
After Lu Qing received the pills, the old doctor said: "Aqing, pills are good, but you must be careful in using them. Medicine has three parts poison; no matter how good the pill, dosage must be watched. Don't harm your body in haste."
"I'll remember," Lu Qing said seriously.
"Alright, I won't disturb you any longer. I'll head back to the mountain."
Having delivered the pills, the old doctor felt relieved and said.
"Master, you've been making pills for days, probably didn't even eat properly. How about I make you a meal?" Lu Qing quickly said, seeing his master about to leave.
"No need, I've already eaten. While making the pills, I contemplated the Precelestial Law you gave me and had some insights. I'll go back and retreat for a while. You continue teaching Xiao Yan and Xiao Li," the old doctor refused.
Seeing his master so determined, Lu Qing didn't insist.
Insights were precious, and he didn't want to interrupt his master's understanding.
After his master left, Lu Qing saw Xiao Yan and Xiao Li still earnestly writing and didn't disturb them. He went to the courtyard, took out a hundred-year-old Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pill, swallowed it, and began practicing.
As the pill entered his stomach, its power quickly spread within. Lu Qing started performing the first nine moves of Health Nourishing Boxing.
Lu Qing's Health Nourishing Boxing had changed significantly compared to before.
After a trip to the mountains, Lu Qing gained great fortune, not only obtaining the legacy of a top Precelestial master like Li Weitian but also the method of rune cultivation.
Although these two legacies didn't directly boost his strength, they greatly broadened his horizons.
His understanding of cultivation had reached a new level.
This deepened his comprehension of Health Nourishing Boxing.
As Lu Qing moved through the forms, there was no hint of smoke or fire, full of vibrant life, making one feel refreshed and relaxed just by watching.
He fully embodied the "nourishing" aspect of Health Nourishing Boxing.
If the old doctor were here, seeing Lu Qing's boxing skills, he would be astonished.
Because Lu Qing's attainment in the first nine forms of Health Nourishing Boxing was now on par with his own.
This deepened mastery of Health Nourishing Boxing also sped up Lu Qing's absorption of the Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills.
Before long, he had completely absorbed the power of a hundred-year-old pill, converting it into his Qi and Blood.
He didn't hesitate, taking out another pill from the bottle, swallowing it, and continuing to practice.
Lu Qing's martial realm had long reached the stage of understanding Qi and Blood perfection, only lacking the strength of Qi and Blood.
Therefore, continuous pill absorption posed no problem for him.
He only needed to be cautious about not consuming too many pills in one day, allowing his body time to adapt.
However, absorbing a few Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills a day wouldn't be an issue.
Lu Qing practiced in the courtyard, and passing villagers couldn't help but stop and watch, their eyes full of envy.
But no one dared to disturb him.
Lu Qing's status in Jiuli Village was very high now.
Aside from his ability to easily kill people, the silver he had previously distributed to the village was enough to earn everyone's gratitude.
So, seeing Lu Qing practicing, no one dared to interrupt.
…
In the following days, Lu Qing's life became very regular.
Every day, aside from greeting his master and learning some medicine.
Most of his time was spent practicing and absorbing the Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills.
The rest of the time, he taught Xiao Yan and Xiao Li to read.
Occasionally, he would go fishing to supplement Xiao Li's diet.
It's worth mentioning that since catching those two Golden Loaches, Lu Qing hadn't caught any strange fish again.
He didn't know if the river's strange fish were all caught or if they had become cautious.
As a result, he had been unable to fulfill his previous promise to Xiao Li.
Time passed quickly.
As Xiao Yan and Xiao Li learned more characters, Lu Qing's martial skills also rapidly improved.
On the seventh day after Xiao Yan and Xiao Li started recognizing characters, Lu Qing reached the stage of great achievement in Qi and Blood.
On the fifteenth day, in the bamboo forest behind the mountain.
Lu Qing, who was practicing, trembled all over, a vast force of Qi and Blood rising up, moving smoothly with his intention, gathering and dispersing as he wished, flawless and perfect.
"Finally, Qi and Blood perfection."
Lu Qing opened his eyes, his face full of joy.
After half a month of continuous practice, consuming most of the Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills, he finally raised his Qi and Blood strength to its limit, reaching the stage of Qi and Blood perfection.
Next, after some rest to fully master the Qi and Blood perfection, he could attempt to break through to the Tendons and Bones Realm.
"Martial cultivation is truly a gold-consuming beast."
Looking at the bottles beside him, Lu Qing sighed.
In half a month, he went from minor to major achievement in Qi and Blood.
Such a cultivation speed would astonish other martial artists.
But
Lu Qing didn't think it was remarkable.
In the past half-month, he didn't know how many Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills he had consumed.
If these pills were all converted into silver, they could crush several Tendons and Bones Realm practitioners.
With such a pile of resources, if his cultivation progress wasn't fast, it would be disgraceful.
"However, thanks to the Earth Vein Spirit Liquid, my potential has increased significantly. The amount of Qi and Blood I can hold far exceeds that of an ordinary Qi and Blood perfection practitioner."
"The Qi and Blood strength within me now is several times that of a normal Qi and Blood perfection martial artist."
Feeling the flawless Qi and Blood strength within, Lu Qing was very satisfied.
The Earth Vein Spirit Liquid, after all, was a mystical item created by a Precelestial existence, its effect on enhancing potential was formidable.
If he faced the Heart-Snatcher Wolf again now.
He was confident that he could kill it with one punch, without needing a second move.
Even against another Qi and Blood perfection martial artist, unless they were also a martial genius, they would struggle to withstand a few of his moves.
"I wonder, if I were to face Mago now, how would I fare?"
Lu Qing remembered that Mago was at the initial stage of the Tendons and Bones Realm.
A beginner in the Tendons and Bones Realm, at the bottom.
In martial arts, each realm had a huge gap.
In theory, even the weakest Tendons and Bones Realm practitioner should be stronger than someone in the Qi and Blood Realm.
But in this world, many things defy logic.
Some exceptionally gifted martial geniuses can cross that chasm and fight beyond their level.
Lu Qing didn't know if his current potential counted as such
a martial genius.
Therefore, he wasn't sure if he had the qualifications to duel Mago.
"Maybe I should find an opportunity to spar with Mago?"
This thought had just arisen when Lu Qing immediately dismissed it.
His current strength, far surpassing an ordinary Qi and Blood perfection martial artist, shouldn't be revealed.
Otherwise, it would undoubtedly attract undue suspicion.
Unusual occurrences often indicate something odd. No one is truly a fool.
He had managed to cultivate to Qi and Blood perfection in such a short time, which was already astonishing.
But this could still be explained by natural talent.
If he also revealed an extraordinary amount of Qi and Blood strength, even a fool would know there was something amiss.
Even if others couldn't guess the existence of the Earth Vein Spirit Liquid, they would suspect he had acquired some otherworldly treasure.
This would undoubtedly lead to endless trouble.
Right now, Lu Qing didn't have the power to deal with such troubles.
"At present, I should remain low-key. Once I reach the Internal Organs Realm or my master officially breaks through to the Precelestial Realm, I won't need to fear most of the world's forces."
Lu Qing set this goal for himself.
He reminded himself not to become complacent with his newfound strength.
The Qi and Blood Realm was only the first step on the martial path. He had a long way to go.
If he became arrogant now, how could he climb to the pinnacle of martial arts in the future?
After some self-reflection, Lu Qing calmed his excitement from the breakthrough and regained his usual composure.
He sat down, slowly adjusting his breath, then entered the state of Calming the Mind and Purifying the Heart, taking out a piece of broken silver from his pocket.
During this period, most of his time had been spent absorbing the Blood Replenishing and Qi-boosting Pills and breaking through his martial realm.
His comprehension of the runes had been somewhat neglected.
Now that he had reached a breakthrough and needed time to prepare for the Tendons and Bones Realm.
He could continue comprehending the runes.
Holding the broken silver, Lu Qing observed it in the state of Calming the Mind and Purifying the Heart.
Although he hadn't spent much time comprehending the runes recently, he had occasionally studied the patterns on the silver.
He had a feeling that with one more serious effort, he could fully comprehend the patterns on the silver.
The mountain breeze lightly blew, creating a faint sound among the bamboo leaves.
Sunlight quietly streamed through the gaps in the bamboo.
Everything seemed so leisurely and content.
In this environment, Lu Qing quietly comprehended the mysterious patterns on the silver.
Time passed bit by bit, the sunlight gradually slanting, yet Lu Qing's body remained motionless, his attention fully focused on the silver.
Finally, as dusk approached, a flash of light suddenly appeared in his eyes.
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